Ricky Gervais

An exceptionally dry wit with a keen understanding of the embarrassing side of human nature, Ricky Gervais was the co-creative force behind the television series "The Office" (BBC Two, 2001-03) and "E...
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John Hurt, Lena Headey and Ricky Gervais are among the stars backing a campaign to save two bears from captivity at a restaurant in Russia. Members of World Animal Protection have launched a drive to release the creatures, which have been kept in cages at an eaterie in Sochi, and transport them to a bear sanctuary.
Alien actor Hurt has urged fans to sign the organisation's petition, writing in a post on Twitter.com, "#SochiBears need help. Sign the petition so (they can be brought) to safety," while Game of Thrones star Headey adds, "These beautiful creatures need your help lovely people. Go and sign immediately. Lend support. Retweet."
Longtime animals rights campaigner Gervais also retweeted a link to the petition, while other stars to back the campaign include actor Brian Blessed and pop singer Alesha Dixon.
World Animal Protection UK Country Director, Suzi Morris, says, "We are extremely grateful for all the support we have been shown by our animal-loving and high-profile friends... We are working with our local partners, Big Hearts Foundation, to rescue the bears from their miserable conditions and to move them to the space and freedom of the AMP Romanian Bear Sanctuary, so that (for) the first time in their 20-year lives they will the experience freedom that has been denied them for so long."

Funnyman Ricky Gervais, nature TV broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, and actress Joanna Lumley have called on China's President Xi Jinping to ban the country's trade in ivory. They have signed an open letter asking the leader to outlaw the buying and selling of ivory in a bid to save African elephants from extinction, as they are often killed for their tusks.
The letter reads, "The elephants of Africa are dying in their tens of thousands every year to provide ivory for misguided consumers in China and elsewhere... Without your help, they will continue to perish and be pushed towards extinction."
British royal Prince William is set to visit the country next month (Mar15), and he is expected to discuss the wildlife trade during his trip.

British actor Stephen Merchant and his actress girlfriend Hayley Atwell were involved in a car accident in Los Angeles last week (ends22Feb15). Ricky Gervais' comedy partner and the Captain America star were driving through Melrose Avenue at the time of the shunt with another vehicle, but no one was seriously injured.
As the couple waited for police and a tow-truck to arrive on Friday (20Feb15), Merchant bought coffee and cakes for everyone caught up in the drama.

Veteran actor Brian Blessed is urging the U.K. government to step up its efforts to fulfil a pledge to ban the use of live animals in travelling circuses. Officials in Britain announced in 2012 that they would introduce legislation outlawing the controversial tradition following an investigation and high-profile campaign by members of Animal Defenders International.
However, the bill has not been actioned as it is still grinding through the parliamentary process, and long-term campaigner Blessed is urging lawmakers to speed up.
The Flash Gordon star says, "I am deeply opposed to the use of wild animals in circuses and have been working with Animal Defenders International to oppose such acts for many years. Despite repeated promises from the Government, we are still waiting for the law to pass and the animals are continuing to suffer. Please end this circus madness."
Other stars supporting the campaign include Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Roger Moore, Ricky Gervais, and Brian May.

Oscar-nominee Eddie Redmayne and Hugh Jackman are among celebrities donating their hats to a charity auction. The Theory of Everything actor has offered up his white panama hat for the auction, while Jackman, Ed Sheeran, Simon Pegg and Ricky Gervais have given signed baseball caps to the fundraising initiative.
Other highlights in the Celebrity Hat Auction include a white Stetson from Queen guitarist Brian May, Ozzy Osbourne's black fedora, Elvis Costello's brown trilby, a patterned flat cap from Hugh Laurie and Sting's cashmere beanie.
The online auction launches on Friday (23Jan15) and will close on 1 February (15). All profits raised will go to St Mungo's Broadway charity, which supports homeless and vulnerable men and women throughout the U.K.

Hollywood actor Rob Lowe is following Ricky Gervais to the small British town of Slough for a new U.K. comedy based around the same location as hit sitcom The Office. Gervais' popular U.K. TV show was set in Slough, a small town in the county of Berkshire, England, and now the area is set to be thrust into the spotlight once again as the focus of Lowe's latest small screen project.
The West Wing star has signed up to head the cast of Apocalypse Slough, a quirky comedy which will also feature Jenna Fischer, famed for her role in America's version of Gervais' The Office, and Megan Mullally.
Lowe will play a rebellious Catholic priest who is among a group of people battling to reach a safety bunker in Slough as a comet hurtles towards Earth.
He says of the show, "I've always been a fan of the kind of smart, ambitious and challenging filmmaking... This script and my character in particular, blew me away."
Filming is set to begin later this month (Jan15) and the show is to air on NBC in America and on Sky1 in the U.K.

You're not British, you just like watching Brits on TV. Maybe you like it a little too much - to the point where American TV just doesn't cut it for you anymore. Here are some signs that you might be addicted.
1. You can name every actor who has ever played Doctor Who.
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2. You find yourself slipping into a British accent at least once a day. Which tends to get this reaction from people:
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3. You've gone into a rage spiral when someone reminds you how long you have to wait for more Sherlock.
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4. Whenever there's a death on Downton Abbey you grieve like it was a member of your own family. Whyyy Matthew?!
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5. You boycotted the American version of Broadchurch. And you won in the end because Gracepoint was cancelled.
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6. You're convinced it's only a matter of time before the things in Black Mirror happen in real life.
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7. You've swapped out coffee for tea - because all your favorite characters drink it.
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8. After watching Luther, you're campaigning hard for Idris Elba to be the new James Bond.
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9. You've never seen Mad Men, but you're obsessed with The Hour.
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10. Forget Christian Grey. You'll always think of Jamie Dornan as Paul Spector in The Fall.
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11. When Lena Dunham tweeted about her love for Call the Midwife, you were all like, "Duh, where have you been?"
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12. You've cried while watching Derek. Like, openly bawled.
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13. You're planning a trip to UK as we speak.
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Are YOU addicted to British TV? Which show is your favorite? Tell us on Twitter and Facebook!
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Funnyman Ricky Gervais was left squirming on live British TV on Friday (19Dec14) when a donkey soiled itself as he petted it in the studio. Producers of chat show This Morning brought the beast, called Charlie, on set to give the studio nativity scene a more festive feeling, and animal lover Gervais could not stop himself from making friends with him.
However, as he stroked Charlie's head while presenters Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden introduced the comedian/actor for an interview, the animal fouled the studio floor.
Gervais giggled as he told viewers, "He's just done a little accident, near baby Jesus. I say little, it was pretty big."

Night At The Museum stars Ben Stiller and Ricky Gervais have paid tribute to tragic funnyman Robin Williams after working with him in his final onscreen appearance.
The trio teamed up to shoot the last movie in the hit comedy franchise earlier this year (14), with Williams reprising his role as waxwork Teddy Roosevelt. Unknown to the cast and crew, the scenes were among the last Williams filmed prior to his suicide in August (14), and Stiller vividly recalls how the shoot was a poignant one as Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb would be the end of the franchise.
He tells U.K. talk show host Graham Norton, "On set we felt it was going to be the last Night at the Museum so there was that awareness of it, but obviously we had no clue what was going to happen (to Robin)."
Gervais adds, "Everyone I have ever met who knew him absolutely loved him. I've never heard a bad word about him. He was lovely all the time and never forgot to be the nicest person. If he had a second between takes he would be entertaining the crew. He was an amazing, lovely man."

Funnyman Ricky Gervais has confirmed his hit show Derek has ended, just days after the poignant comedy was nominated for a Golden Globe.
The sitcom, centering on the lives of staff at an old folks' care home, was an instant success following its launch in 2012, and Gervais - who plays the title character - has been shortlisted for the Best Actor in a TV Comedy Series honor at the prestigious ceremony next month (Jan15).
However, he has now confirmed Derek will not be returning to screens after the one-off festive special airs in Britain on Monday (22Dec14).
Gervais tells U.K. talk show host Graham Norton, "Like The Office and Extras there will only be two series and a special. For now, it's the end. It just feels right."

Became first guest star on "The Simpsons" (Fox) to also write the episode on which he guest starred; episode titled "Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife"

Hosted "Meet Ricky Gervais" (Channel 4)

Co-created "Extras," (BBC2) with Stephen Merchant; also starred as Andy Millman, an actor whose career is stuck in background extra parts (aired on HBO in the U.S.); earned Emmy nominations in 2007 for Best Directing for the episode "Orlando Bloom" and Be

Hired as DJ for London radio station XFM, where he met future writing partner Steve Merchant

With Merchant co-created "The Ricky Gervais Show," a weekly online audio program; aired on Xfm in weekly periods for months at a time throughout 2002, 2003, 2004, and mid-2005

Co-directed and starred in comedy "The Invention of Lying"; also wrote and produced

First starring role in a feature film, "Ghost Town"

Co-starred with Ben Stiller in "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian"

Executive produced and appeared on Channel 4 series "Derek"

Co-created with Steve Merchant and starred on BBC comedy hit "The Office"

Returned for another controversial hosting of 68th Golden Globe Awards

Performed with a pop band called "Seona Dancing"; group released two singles

With Merchant, wrote, directed, and appeared on BBC series "Life's Too Short"; series starred Warwick Davis

Headlined sixth annual New York Comedy Festival at Carnegie Hall

Published first childrens book Flanimals; illustrated by friend Rob Steen

Voiced character of Mr. James Bing in computer animated feature "Escape from Planet Earth"

Produced American version of "The Office" (NBC) with co-creator Greg Daniels

Summary

An exceptionally dry wit with a keen understanding of the embarrassing side of human nature, Ricky Gervais was the co-creative force behind the television series "The Office" (BBC Two, 2001-03) and "Extras" (BBC Two/HBO, 2005-07), alongside his creative partner of over a decade, Stephen Merchant. In addition to co-writing and co-producing both shows, Gervais played the lead in both series - the self-deluded and thoroughly inappropriate office manager David Brent on "The Office," and the hapless wannabe actor Andy Millman on "Extras" - which earned him numerous awards and praise from fellow writers and performers on both sides of the Atlantic. A multimedia renaissance man, Gervais went on to star in the feature films "Ghost Town" (2008) and "The Invention of Lying" (2009), taped several stand-up comedy specials, created the truly bizarre children's book series <i>Flanimals</i>, and saw his highly-rated Xfm radio show with Merchant and Karl Pilkington - later re-aired as internet podcasts - transformed into the hit animated series "The Ricky Gervais Show" (HBO, 2009- ). Additionally, he served as host on more than one occasion for the annual Golden Globe Awards, eliciting praise from some and scorn from others, due to his relentless roasting of celebrity insiders. Gervais was simply a man whose witty brilliance knew no cultural or ethnic boundaries.

Education

Name

University College London

Notes

Gervais tried to be a rock star in the David Bowie mold, but he never took off. He managed an indie band and a Queen tribute band, and segued into radio, where he met Stephen Merchant, who eventually became his writing partner and played Millman's incompetent manager on "Extras."

As a kid, Gervais began writing original scripts for the Hanna-Barbera cartoon "Tom and Jerry."

"It's the work that excites me. I don't like the fame – that's the worst thing about it for me. I don't like being recognized shopping for pants." – Gervais quoted to People Magazine, March 23, 2004

"I've always felt sorry for those who don't have a sense of humor. The worst thing to me growing up was to embarrass yourself socially. I feel sorry for anyone. Hitler could walk in and make a bad joke and I would cringe and [say], 'Oh, I wish he hadn't made that bad joke." – Gervais quoted in The Los Angeles Times, Sept. 17, 2008

About Gervais, Koepp (director of "Ghost Town") says: "His greatest fear in the world is looking stupid. Trying to be funny and not being funny is humiliating. I think one of the reasons he was careful to pick a Hollywood movie is that he desperately didn't want it to be a bad one. He waited too long for success to [toss] it away. Like a lot of people who get success late in life, it means more to them. They're more protective." – from The Los Angeles Times, Sept. 17, 2008